Experience the rich cultures, storied history and natural beauty of Peru. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts offered a Peru travel course in 2017 and is pleased to do so again in 2020. The course helps students understand the country’s historical evolution, cultural diversity, and political landscape by visiting archaeological sites, museums, indigenous villages, natural reserves and the capital city.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Students familiarize themselves with unique cultures and contrast their own values, opportunities and experiences with those of these groups.2. Students understand the evolution of Peru from one of the world’s most powerful precolonial societies to a fast-growing middle-income country.3. Students comprehend the tradeoffs inherent in balancing economic development with cultural and natural diversity.4. Students situate the value of their travel within their larger college experience.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

This is a 3-credit hour course and prior to and after the trip, students meet weekly with Dr. David Cupery, the faculty leader of the trip, to study and discuss issues related to Peruvian culture, history and society. Students have required readings and complete written assignments and presentations. During the trip, students keep a journal, addressing their experiences and daily reflection questions. After returning to MCLA, students complete a project based on their knowledge of Peru and their experiences in the country.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Students are evaluated on the following: attendance at on-campus classes, participation in classroom and on-site discussions, quizzes, in-class presentations, travel journals, written reflections, and a final project. Students’ behavior during the travel portion of the course also played a large role in their final grade.

DESTINATION INTRODUCTION

Lima

The capital city and inevitable entry point to the country is home to almost 9 million people and an abundance of movement of all kinds. Present-day Lima mixes colonial architecture with high rises and sprawling slums. Amidst (and beneath) it all are the colors, flavors, and ruins of Peru’s rich indigenous cultures. Our time in Lima is limited to two days: one at the start and one at the end of the trip. Day one finds us in the historic center of the capital, visiting the Plaza de Armas, Palacio del Gobierno, and La Catedral de Lima. This put students in the political heart – currently and during the colonial period – of the country. To lay the groundwork for our later visits to Incan ruins, we also visited the Museu Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología, y Historia. On the tail end of our trip we spent a day in the coastal neighborhoods of Mirraflores and Barranco, where students were able to visit the beaches and markets and sample the fares of what many see as the one of the world’s most exciting culinary destinations.

Cuzco

Cuzco was the heart of the Incan Empire and the center of the struggle between the Incans and the Spanish Conquistadores. Today, while housing numerous historical and cultural sites, it is also the vibrant commercial hub of the south-central Peruvian Andes. During our 3 days in Cuzco, students begin their face-to-face introduction to the Incan civilization and its intersections with colonial and present-day Peru. This includes visits to local ruins, such as Sacsaywamán, museums, and religious sites. We also see a demonstration of local music and dance, and sample loads of delicious food, including alpaca and guinea pig.

Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley

Just a quick drive away from Cuzco sits the Sacred Valley, surrounded by majestic Andean peaks and home to indigenous villages and star attraction Machu Picchu. Our three days in the Sacred Valley begin with a day in the Pisac area. We explore Pisac’s fascinating terraced ruins and get ‘lost’ in the colors and smells of the town’s open market. Students have the option of hiking down the steep mountainside between the ruins and the market. Day 2 features visits to Chinchero – to learn about Incan agricultural techniques and the massive fortress of Ollantaytambo. We then take an evening train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the access point to Machu Picchu. Day 3 is spent at the world’s most famous ruin site. We start early - some students hike up the steep trail with headlamps! - to see the ruins at dawn and give students plenty of time to learn about the site, hike a neighboring peak (optional), and soak in their surroundings.

Lake Titicaca

Our final destination is the world’s highest navigable lake. To get there, we take a six hour bus ride through the scenic and culturally-diverse Andean high country. At the lake itself, we tour the floating Islands of the Uru people. These man-made islands have been inhabited for centuries. Our visit allows students to learn about the unique traditions practiced there. From the floating islands, we continue to Taquile and Amantaní Islands, where we spent a day and a night in a sort of homestay. The students are divided into small groups and spent a night in the home of a local family. They share meals with the family and participated in an evening of music and dancing with the community. Back on the mainland, we fly from nearby Juliaca to Lima, our point of departure from Peru.

COURSE COST: the total cost of the 2020 trip will be no more than $2,300 per person. This cost includes:

Roundtrip airfare between New York City and Lima, Peru and roundtrip ground transportation between North Adams and John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

All required transportation while in Peru. This includes two domestic one-way flights, round trip train travel to Machu Picchu, bus travel between Cuzco and Lake Titicaca, and various forms of ground transportation between our scheduled activities, lodging and airports/terminals.

All lodging during the trip. This includes a one-night homestay on the Lake Titicaca islands and eight nights in modern hotels and inns with 2-4 people per room and a private bathroom.

All breakfasts, all but two dinners, two lunches. The covered dinners provide student a chance to try traditional plates and experience the variety of Peru’s famed culinary offerings at a variety of very nice restaurants.

Thursday, March 12th: Leave MCLA around 5pm for night flight between JFK and LimaFriday, March 13th: LimaSaturday, March 14th: CuzcoSunday, March 15th: CuzcoMonday, March 16th: Sacred ValleyTuesday, March 17th: Sacred ValleyWednesday, March 18th: Machu PicchuThursday, March 19th: Cuzco to Puno (Lake Titicaca)Friday, March 20th: Lake TiticacaSaturday, March 21st: Lake Titicaca and evening flight to LimaSunday, March 22nd: Lima and night flight to JFKMonday, March 23rd: JFK to North Adams with early afternoon arrival

FACULTY LEADER: Dr. David Cupery, Assistant Professor of Political Science. Professor Cupery -shown here at Machu Picchu - has spent over 3.5 years in Latin America and has been to 38 countries in all corners of the globe. He led a 2017 travel course to Peru and led travel courses to Cuba and Mexico in 2018 and 2019. He has visited all travel course destinations, is fluent in Spanish and teaches and researches on Latin American politics

WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT PROFESSOR CUPERY’S TRAVEL COURSES

"I've gone on travel courses before, but my trip to Peru with Professor Cupery was the best. He ensured we experienced and learned as much as we could, while still providing time for us to relax or explore independently. I also loved how he planned it so we weren't just tourists, but really allowed us to immerse ourself in the culture by attending local events and markets. All around, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything."

~Samantha Giffen, Peru 2017, class of 2018

"Professor Cupery took a group people who were pretty much strangers and gave us something to bond over for the rest of our lives. He found ways to get us all to connect and really cherish the time we had with each other. But it's not just his way of bringing people together that made traveling with him a great time. Professor Cupery is loaded with information and made it so easy to fall in love with the history and beauty hidden within Peru."

~Edith Sherburne, Peru 2017, class of 2018

"Traveling abroad with Professor David Cupery was one of the greatest experiences I have had the joy of embarking on. From his knowledge of the cultures, his strong interpersonal skills, to his well-thought out and detailed itinerary you’re sure to enjoy every step of the trip and learn a great deal about a culture very different from our own."

~Anthony Corbett, Peru 2017, class of 2018

"Traveling abroad with Prof. Cupery will be the most memorable three credits you’ve ever earned. Prof. Cupery is well-organized and meticulous in planning his trips, so you’ll experience beautiful and electrifying destinations in a way that won’t keep your mom awake at night. In the classroom portion he’ll impart you with interesting and important information about the country. Then all you have to do is pack your bag, make some room in your camera, and have a bon voyage."

~Anika Pommers-Dear, Peru 2017, class of 2017

"Professor Cupery’s Peru travel course was exciting, well-balanced, and efficiently planned from start to finish. I felt completely safe under his supervision. His ability to communicate with locals and the depth of experience he has traveling in South America make him the perfect person to run a travel course like this. I had an amazing time in Peru and wish I could join the Cuba course as well!"

~Diana Faulkner, Peru 2017, class of 2017

"The trip to Peru was one of the most educational things I could have done in my undergraduate career. It brought some really amazing folks together; people I'll be friends will forever, and memories I will always cherish. Professor Cupery was the best travel guide ever! He kept it real and was responsible and fun. I felt save and secure at all times. I knew I was in good hands."

~Sabrina Superneau-Gilman, Peru 2017, class of 2018

"Travelling abroad was one of the biggest highlights of my college years. Going to a foreign country allowed me to explore cultural differences we rarely notice. When you go, try the food, speak the language (the best you can), and be open-minded"

~Matt Luz, Peru 2017, class of 2017

Professor Cupery’s travel course to Cuba was by far the most memorable and impactful experience of my time as an undergraduate student. Pulling from all aspects of the liberal arts, we first studied and then experienced the art, history, culture, economics, and the authentic day-to-day lives of the Cuban people we stayed with. Professor Cupery ensured that the trip was safe and exciting, while encouraging us to be both mindful of our surroundings and allowing us to explore and tailor our free time to our individual interests. This trip was a life-changing, mind-expanding experience that I would recommend for anyone!

~Henry Ayles, Cuba 2018, class of 2018

Going to Cuba with professor Cupery was a life changing experience. The trip struck the perfect balance between learning about the history of Cuba and experiencing the culture firsthand. Every day we had new unforgettable experiences, whether it was attending a lecture from a Cuban University Professor or snorkeling by the Bay of Pigs. Professor Cupery’s planning made the wildly new experiences feel fun and comfortable. I would highly recommend a trip with Professor Cupery to anyone who wants to experience the history and culture of a foreign country.

~Sam Payne, Cuba 2018, class of 2018

For more information, please contact:Dr. David Cupery Department of History, Political Science and Public Policy Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 375 Church Street North Adams, MA 01247 Phone: 413-662-5493 Email: D.Cupery@mcla.edu